DOR report should not be sugarcoated, Espindola says

FAIRHAVEN — Not so fast on the study of town government, Selectman Robert Espindola said, after Select Board Chairman Brian K. Bowcock gave a brief, positive, overview on Monday.

After Mr. Bowcock said the Department of Revenue (DOR) had praised the town's conservative management, Mr. Espindola, who asked for the study, said, "Don't sugarcoat the report."

He said the study recommends several changes to the structure of town government.

Mr. Espindola said among the issues it raises is that Fairhaven is the "only town of its size" in the Commonwealth "without a town administrator." Instead, it has an executive secretary, Jeffrey Osuch.

Mr. Espindola said the DOR made recommendations affecting other town positions and boards, including eliminating the Board of Public Works and personnel committee. Another suggestion apparently calls for a charter commission.

Overall, the DOR made 34 recommendations, selectmen said.

Mr. Osuch said some recommendations would be easy to implement after getting support for town departments and boards, but obviously, some would meet resistance. He said a charter commission would have to be elected, meet and come up with a formal proposal. Some recommendations would need approval by the state legislature, Mr. Osuch said.

"Some departments will be affected drastically" if some recommendations are adopted, Mr. Osuch said.

Mr. Osuch said the "author" of the DOR study is willing to meet with selectmen and other boards. He suggested they provide time for review and meet with him after the holidays.

Mr. Espindola said he'd like to get the study placed on the website.

Selectman Charles Murphy said they should make sure people realize they are the DOR's recommendations and that they are "not doing all of them."

Mr. Espindola said the DOR also commented that the town's free cash has dropped by 40 percent and that the budget process focuses on the short term, as opposed to long-term capital projects.

He reiterated that the DOR's comments "are not all favorable," and that its report provides "good opportunities to improve." He added, "We have homework to do."